RONSANIty!
Fill-in Baker’s fourth-quarter heroics hel Knicks sna skid
MILWAUKEE — Ron Baker became a fourth-quarter hero, Carmelo Anthony hit the big shot and the Knicks, after being down and counted out, scrapped and clawed, rallying from two doubledigit deficits to pull off a stunning victory.
In another wild affair against the Bucks, the Knicks got even, rallying from an 18-point deficit in the second quarter and then a 13point deficit after three periods to break their six-game losing streak in a 116-111 shocker Friday night at Bradley Center.
In the final minutes, Kristaps Porzingis, making his return from a three-game absence because of a sore Achilles, and Joakim Noah fouled out. Nevertheless, the Knicks pulled out a miracle in Milwaukee as Porzingis finished with 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting.
“We needed it — we needed it more than anything right now,’’ Porzingis said.
The Knicks and Bucks have now exchanged heartbreaking victories — with the Bucks pulling off a buzzer-beating triumph Wednesday at the Garden on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s rainbow, followed by The Baker Game.
“It’s a great win for us because the other night they thought we should’ve won,’’ coach Jeff Hornacek said. “Now we have our full team back again. Guys got in foul trouble and we had enough guys. It helps greatly for our confidence.’’
Hornacek pulled Baker out of the hat. With Derrick Rose and Brandon Jennings struggling, he tabbed the rarely used Baker to start the fourth quarter with the Knicks down 13 — and he ran the offense well, played tenacious defense and showed clutch shotmaking. He finished with six points, four assists, no turnovers, and also drew a huge flagrant foul and a big charge in the closing minute.
“Ron was great,’’ Hornacek said. “Ron is a heady guy.’’
After a slow start, Anthony hit the giant 3-pointer with 50 seconds left to finally put the Knicks into the lead at 112-111.
“It felt good. You don’t take it, you don’t make it,’’ said Anthony, who finished with 26 points, 10 assists and six rebounds after being a decoy for the first half. “It’s good to get this skid off our back and more importantly to come back on the road.’’
Lance Thomas, who had guarded Antetokounmpo, the “Greek Freak,’’ on Wednesday’s game-winner, then made the game’s biggest defensive play, knocking the ball from Bucks guard Jason Terry. Baker picked it up and fed Courtney Lee for a breakaway layup and a 3-point lead with 18 seconds to go.
Mirza Teletovic’s 3-pointer was deflected and Baker grabbed the loose ball to seal it.
“We buckled down and got stops and the defense got us back in the game and we were able to get out in transition,’’ said Baker, whose minimum contract doesn’t become guaranteed for the season until Jan. 10. “We trusted each other.’’
After tabbing Baker to start the fourth, Hornacek let Rose sit the whole period. Rose finished the night 4-of-14 for 12 points and eight assists. Earlier in the day, Hornacek had talked about needing Rose to draw more fouls on his flurry of drives because when he misses, it sets the other team up in transition.
In perhaps a reference to Rose’s overaggressive nature, Hornacek said: “We took care of the ball and made the right plays. I don’t think we tried to force anything and we passed it to the open guy. When you do that, you get good shots and shot a good percentage.’’
The Knicks got within one in the third quarter before the Bucks busted back. But the Knicks never stopped and Porzingis aided in the comeback. He hit two straight 3-pointers, including one from about 35 feet out. He sandwiched those treys with a block on Antetokounmpo, getting the Knicks within one with six minutes left.
“After I’m done with my pregame workout, that’s the shot I always take,’’ Porzingis said. “I feel comfortable with that shot now. Not going to shoot it every time, but after hitting the first 3, I felt comfortable.’’
Baker, meanwhile, got the best of Terry, who elbowed the undrafted rookie while being defended early in the fourth, drawing a Flagrant 1. Baker made both free throws. Late in the game, Terry picked up a charge against Baker in the backcourt and made two more game-sealing free throws with 21 seconds left to put the Knicks up six.
The Knicks (17-19) got revenge on the Greak Freak and the Bucks, and now face the Pacers on Saturday.
“Our engine just turned off,’’ Bucks coach Jason Kidd said.